‘She cared': Slain ‘American Idol' music supervisor Robin Kaye remembered by peers

Los Angeles Times

2 days ago

Veteran music supervisor Robin Kaye, best known for her lengthy tenure on 'American Idol,' leaves behind a legacy of 'light, kindness, and joy.'
Singer-songwriter and former 'Idol' contestant Didi Benami in a Tuesday Instagram story praised Kaye as 'one of the kindest souls I've ever had the privilege of working with' as she mourned the executive's death. Kaye and her husband Tom Deluca are the victims of a double homicide that occurred in their Encino home, Los Angeles police announced Tuesday. They both died at age 70.
'Still in disbelief and trying to make sense of it all. My heart is broken. Some souls leave a light behind even after they're gone,' Benami wrote in another Instagram post shared Wednesday. 'Robin, you are so loved. Always will be. Honoring the light, kindness, and joy you brought into this world. May your memory— and the love you gave —never be forgotten.'
Vocal coach Benami, who competed on Season 9 of 'Idol,' was among the musicians and music industry figures paying tribute on social media to Kaye and her contributions. Kaye served as a music supervisor on 'American Idol' from 2009 to 2023 and contributed to nearly 300 episodes during her tenure.
In a statement shared with The Times on Tuesday, a spokesperson for 'American Idol' described Kaye as a 'cornerstone of the 'Idol' family' and said the production was 'devastated' by news of her and Deluca's deaths. 'She was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her,' the statement added.
Randy Jackson, one of 'American Idol's' original trio of judges, echoed those sentiments on Instagram, writing on Tuesday that Kaye was a 'dear friend to me and so many — judges, executives, contestants, publishers, writers, producers, and artists alike.' He posted a photo of himself with Kaye, noting in his caption that she 'consistently went the extra mile, meticulously ensuring songs were placed and cleared for the show.'
'She was truly one of a kind,' he said.
In a call with The Times on Wednesday, longtime 'Idol' music provider Brad Segal highlighted Kaye's sympathetic nature, loyalty and her dedicated work ethic. 'We all hope for that when you meet somebody,' he said. Segal said he met Kaye in the early aughts and had crossed paths with her over the years at other TV productions.
He praised Kaye's wealth of 'knowledge of all types of music' and he said she provided a comfortable working experience that helped set the foundation of their years-long collaborations on 'Idol.' Segal told The Times that Kaye was accommodating to her collaborators, ranging from him to the contestants she worked with. Simply, 'she cared.'
'She cared about what she did. She cared about being fair,' Segal said.
Kaye and Deluca are believed to have been killed after walking in on a burglary suspect inside their $4.5-million home Thursday, according to LAPD. The suspect — identified by homicide investigators as 22-year-old Encino resident Raymond Boodarian — is believed to have entered the heavily secured home through an unlocked door, police said. After the couple returned home, 'a confrontation ensued, which resulted in the suspect taking their lives,' police said.
Their bodies were not discovered until officers responded Monday around 2:30 p.m. to a welfare check in the 4700 block of White Oak Avenue, where they discovered two people inside the home, LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar said early Tuesday. Paramedics responded and declared the pair dead at the scene.
Boodarian was apprehended Tuesday without incident by LAPD and FBI task force officers, Los Angeles Police Lt. Guy Golan, said. The killings appeared to be random, Golan said, but investigators were looking for any connection between the suspect and Deluca and Kaye.
Times staff writer Richard Winton and deputy editor Joe Serna contributed to this report.